Electrically-heated sadiron stand



April 3,1928;

R. O. REYNOLDS ELECTRICALLY HEATED SADIRON STAND Filed Nov. 26. 1926 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Jwomtoz Rmsem D. Km News.

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' Patented Apr. 3, 1928.

UNITED STATES ROBERT o. RBYNoLBs, or AUBURN, MAINE, ASSIGNQR :ro ABRAHAM BAKER, or AUBURN, MAI E.

PATENT OFFICE.

ELECTRICALLY-HEATED SADIRON STAND.

Application filed November 26, 1926. Serial No. 150,764;

This invention relates to electrically heated irons and more particularly to structures of this nature controlling the supply of current to the heating element.

In the devices of this nature heretofore known in the prior art, by far most of the irons in use utilize the usual electric cord which is plugged into the iron itself whereby connection is made with the source of current. However the use of this type of connection is associated with a number of dis advantages among which may be noted: the fire hazard resulting from overheating of the iron; the disadvantage of having the cord connection on the iron during its use when it is always a source of annoyance; waste of current; etc. Attempts have been made to avoid such structures but these suggestions have found-little application main- 1y due to their complex structure and consequent excessive cost.

Another the objects of the present invention is the construction of an electrically heated iron of simple nature in which the connection to the source of current is made with the stand on which the iron normally remains when not in use; a simple and certain contact between the iron and stand whereby the current is conducted to the heating element in the iron; and means for preventing short-circuiting and blowing out the fuse on the main line in case of a shortcircuit across the terminals on the stand.

Other and further advantages and objects will appear from the more detailed description set forth below, it being understood however that various changes may be made therein by those skilled in the art, without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention.

This more detailed description should be considered in connection with the accompanying drawings wherein there is shown by way of illustration and not by way of limitation, in

Figure 1, an elevation showing the iron in place on the stand; in

Figure 2, a plan view of the base of the iron showing the heating element; in

Figure 3, a plan view partly in section, on line 3-3 of Figure 1, showing the fuse compartment in the stand, in

Figure 4, a section on the line H of Figure 3 showing the contact members in the stand; in

Figure 5, a sectional detail taken on line 55 of Figure 4 showing a contact member in the stand; and in Figure 6, a detail in section showing the connection between the heating element in the iron base and the contact member on the base of the iron.

Considering in detail the illustrative structure shown in the drawings the iron A. is placed normally on the stand B. The iron A is provided with a. conventional heating element 1 in the base thereof, shown in dotted lines in Figure 1. This conventional heating element 1 is connected with two exposed contact members 2, 2 desirably placed one at each corner of the heel of the iron as shown in Figure 2. These contact members 2, 2 on the base of the iron are desirably made of metal such as phosphor bronze inserted into the base of the iron and preferably flush with the bottom surface thereof. The connection between the'heating element 1 and the contact member 2 is shown in Figure 6 such connection desirably being made by means of a screw 3 screwing into the metal contact member 2. A washer 4 placed between the base of the iron and the element 1, and an insulating strip 5 complete this structure. While this type of connection has been illustrated, it will be understood that any other method of connecting the heating element to the contact member on the base of the iron may be used.

The stand is desirably constructed of two flat members 6 and 7 joined through a housing or compartment 8 which contains the fuse etc. The fiat member 6 lies on the table or other support for the stand, while the upper flat member 7 is desirably provided with a lip 7 to prevent the iron from slipping therefrom. As illustrated in Figure 4, the housing 8 may be formed by walls dropping from the flat member 7 and desirably made integral therewith. The bottom flat member 6 maybe nailed or screwed to the 100 lower edges of these walls, thus forming a composite structure. The housing 8 houses the contact members in the stand. These contact members 9 and 10 project through openings 11 and 12 in the fiat member 7. 105 The contact members 9 and 10 carry projections or rings either integral with said members or rigidly secured thereto as shown at 13 and 14. These projections or rings or collars 13 and 14 serve to limit the upward 110 movement of the contact members and also serve as means for connecting thecontact members with the fuse and the source of current. For example wires 15 and 16 illustrative of conductors may be attached to the collars as illustrated. The contact members 9 and 10 have their-lower ends resting in shoes 17, 18 having an annular edge 19 which serves as a seat for one end of the springs 20, the other end of these springs pressing against the un'dersides of the collars 13 and 14: respectively. These pring pressed contact members in the stand constitute the preferred embodiment of this device so that sure and certain contact is made between them and the contact members on the base of the iron. Further, while these contact members in the stand have been shown as spring pressed, they may be made rigidly supported in the stand without springs if desired, although the construction described gives better results. The tension of the springs should be such that the weight of the iron against them will not fully overcome the pressure of the springs. This additional feature is desirable in securing sure contact.

The housing 8 referred to above not only serves to house these spring pressed contact members in the stand, but also serves as a compartment for a fuse. In view of the fact that the contact members in the stand are generally exposed as illustrated in the drawings, it is possible that an accidental contact might be made between them and a metal object. This would normally affect the fuse on the main line serving as a source of current. To prevent such an event, the conductor or cable 21, after entering the housing 8 through an opening 22 in the rear wall thereof, is so arranged that one of the elements thereof such as 15 passes to one of the contact members such as 9, while the other conducting elementsuch as 16 has inserted in series-therewith a fuse 23 held in place by means of spring clips 24. This fuse is of such a character that a short circuit formed across the contact members will blow this fuse instead of that in the main line.

The use of the device will be more or less obvious from the description set forth above..

The iron upon-being placed on the stand so that the contact members in thebase of the construction of the parts set forth above.

Very desirably the top member of the stand will be made of a nonconducting fibrous composition. and such material may be used if desired f r the lower member of the stand and for the housing walls. here metals are used, the contact members should be insulated therefrom in the usual manner. Further the contact members on the iron should be insulated from the base of the iron. This may he done by having the washer 4 shown in Figure 6 of insulating material, and in snlating strips such as 5 in the same figure may be used to insulate the contact members 2, from the base of the iron.

Vhile this invention has been described as particularly useful in connection with electrically heated irons, it may be applied to stands used for supporting other types of electrically heated tools.

Having thus set forth my invention, I claim:

A stand for an electrically heated iron having exposed contact members on the base thereof, said stand comprising two flat faces separated by a housing, contact members in said housing projecting through the upper flat face of the stand. collars on said contact members limiting the movement of said members upwardly, coil springs about said contact members urging the latter upwardly through the upper face of the stand, said coil springs seating at one end against shoes on the base flat member ofthe stand and within the aforesaidhousing, and at the otherend against the collars aforesaid.

ROBERT O. REYNOLDS 

